Today, 9 October 2026, would have been John Lennon's 86th birthday, and Beatlemania shows no sign of slowing. Paul McCartney released a new album, The Boys of Dungeon Lane, in May, Ringo Starr toured the US with his All-Starr Band, and Sam Mendes' four Beatles films, one from each member's point of view, are set for release on 7 April 2028.
More than half a century after they split, four lads from Liverpool are still the benchmark for every band that followed. Explore more legendary groups in our Bands collection.
The Beatles Fact File
| Formed | 1960, Liverpool, England |
|---|---|
| Members | John Lennon (1940–1980), Paul McCartney (born 18 June 1942, age 84), George Harrison (1943–2001), Ringo Starr (born 7 July 1940, age 86) |
| Nationality | British |
| Years active | 1960–1970 |
| Labels | Parlophone, Apple (UK); Capitol (US) |
| Genres | Rock, pop, psychedelia |
| Nickname | The Fab Four |
Career History
| Years | Band/Label | Key albums/singles |
|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Parlophone | Please Please Me, With the Beatles |
| 1964 | Parlophone | A Hard Day's Night, Beatles for Sale |
| 1965 | Parlophone | Help!, Rubber Soul |
| 1966–1967 | Parlophone | Revolver, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band |
| 1968–1969 | Apple | The Beatles ("White Album"), Yellow Submarine, Abbey Road |
| 1970 | Apple | Let It Be |
| 2023 | Apple | "Now and Then" |
The rows list the band's 12 UK studio albums. "Now and Then", finished using a Lennon demo, became their 18th UK No. 1 single in 2023.
From the Cavern to the World
The Beatles grew out of Lennon's skiffle group, sharpening their act in Hamburg clubs and Liverpool's Cavern Club. With Ringo Starr joining on drums in 1962 and George Martin producing, they released their debut album Please Please Me in 1963.
By early 1964 Beatlemania had crossed the Atlantic, and their appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show was watched by a huge US television audience.
Celebrate the Liverpool lads with our The Beatles Men's Hoodie.
The Studio Years
From 1966 the band stopped touring and turned the studio into an instrument. Revolver and Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band pushed pop music into new territory with tape loops, orchestras and Indian instruments.
The double "White Album" followed in 1968, and Abbey Road gave the world its most famous zebra crossing in 1969.
Pay tribute to the studio years with our The Beatles Music Icon Frame Men's T-Shirt.
Let It Be and Beyond
Let It Be was released in 1970 as the band went their separate ways, and all four went on to solo success. The band's story continued through the Anthology project in the 1990s and its expanded 2025 reissue and Disney+ series.
In 2023 "Now and Then" reached No. 1 in the UK and went on to win the Grammy for Best Rock Performance in 2025.
Keep the legend going with our The Beatles Music Icon Frame Men's Hoodie.
The Biggest Band in History
The Beatles scored 20 No. 1 singles on the US Billboard Hot 100 and 18 in the UK. In 2028, Harris Dickinson, Paul Mescal, Joseph Quinn and Barry Keoghan will play John, Paul, George and Ringo in the Sam Mendes films.
Awards
Major Awards
- Academy Award for Best Original Song Score for Let It Be
- Multiple Grammy Awards, including Best Rock Performance for "Now and Then" (2025)
Honours
- Appointed MBE (1965)
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1988)
Chart Records
- 20 US Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles
- 18 UK No. 1 singles
Away From the Spotlight
Liverpool still celebrates the band everywhere, from the rebuilt Cavern Club on Mathew Street to the bronze statue of the four on the Pier Head. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr remain active musicians, both still writing, recording and touring in 2026.
FAQs
How old are Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr?
Paul McCartney was born on 18 June 1942, so he is 84. Ringo Starr was born on 7 July 1940, making him 86.
Where were The Beatles from?
Liverpool, England, where the band formed in 1960.
How many albums did The Beatles release?
The Beatles released 12 UK studio albums, from Please Please Me (1963) to Let It Be (1970).
How many number ones did The Beatles have?
20 No. 1 singles in the US Billboard Hot 100 and 18 in the UK, the latest being "Now and Then" in 2023.
When did The Beatles break up?
The band split in 1970, the year Let It Be was released.
When are the Sam Mendes Beatles films released?
All four films are scheduled for release on 7 April 2028.
Shop the The Beatles Collection
Our made-to-order Beatles fan designs are printed in the UK as hoodies and T-shirts.
The Beatles Men's Hoodie
£39.99
Find more legendary groups in our Bands collection and Rock Music collection. Want your own name on the back instead? Design a Custom Name Men's Hoodie.
Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: Top 100 Most Famous Bands of All Time and Top Male Pop Stars of All Time.
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